Nadal Thrashes Federer in Blowout French Open Final
Well hell.
I turned on the television to look for when the men’s final started at Roland Garros, and I got in on the very end of the trophy ceremonies. After looking at the score, I’m really wasn’t all that disappointed that I missed the match.
Rafael Nadal not only beat Roger Federer in straight sets in the French Open final, he humbled him - it was an utter thrashing of the world number one by the world number two. Three sets - 6-1, 6-3, 6-0 - and Rafa proves his point with an exclamation that he is the best player on clay right now. Well - for the last four years, actually - because this was Rafa’s fourth consecutive French Open title and his 28th match in a row he’s won in Paris. It was true yesterday and it’s still true today: the guy has never lost at Roland Garros.
Now I don’t really know what to say. The television commentators were saying that Rafa will win Wimbledon this year. Actually I think it was Bjorn Borg that said this was going to be Rafa’s year. There’s no denying the fact that Rafa is a lot closer to winning Wimbledon than Roger is to winning the French (obviously…today’s final only punctuates that). I’m not quite sure how I feel about that, but I guess we’ll find out. An athlete can’t stay number one forever, and the respect people have for Roger is really unbelievable. In Rafa’s on-court interview, he really seemed to feel bad about how soundly he beat Roger. Not about the fact that he won the title, of course, but I think Rafa has a great deal of respect for Roger and to beat him the way he did - well - he would have chosen to have it be a tight battle instead.
But for now, bring on the grass and bring on my favorite Grand Slam: Wimbly!!
(Image: Newscom)
Rafael Nadal claps in victory after demolishing Roger Federer in the French Open finals.
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POSTED IN: French Open, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer
4 opinions for Nadal Thrashes Federer in Blowout French Open Final
UTP
Jun 8, 2008 at 1:33 pm
I wouldnt really be surprised if Rafa gets him at Wimbledon this time…I can assure you it isnt the clay that Federer fears…its Nadal…
Nadal has been at it with his fitness and continous improvement….Federer has not been challenged enough and has fallen behind…in everything but his No. 1…he will lose it this summer…
shashank
Jun 8, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Inarguably,rafa is greatest player on clay.Seeing his perfect gd strokes,his improved sevice it is hard to beleive he hasnt won wimbeldon .Hopefully he will do it this time and prove he is right up there ……at the TOP
Prem
Jun 8, 2008 at 6:40 pm
Good post.
I missed the match too. I rushed back from an appointment and turned on my TV. It was only 2hrs in. And it was surreal to see a sulking Federer sitting in his chair. Looking at the highlights, Nadal’s play has improved vastly. Outside clay, I always thought Djokovic was his nightmare, now he’s got two. He’s got to get a real coach, and dig in. Maybe it’s too late.
I too thought Rafa was embarrassed by Federer’s loss.
But clay is clay. Let’s see how things bounce off on grass.
Erica
Jun 10, 2008 at 10:54 pm
Thanks for all the opinions everyone! I think Federer is in a legitimate tight spot. Rafa has been edging closer and closer each year and after the French Open debacle - well - yes.
But you said it right Prem. Clay is clay and grass has always been Federer’s playground.
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